Did you know that April is the perfect time to help others? National Volunteer Week is April 15th – 21st and if you’ve been thinking about donating some of your time to a cause or organization that is close to your heart, now is the time to get involved. The Alzheimer’s Association, for example, employs hundreds of volunteers at local … Read More
Set the Stage for a Good Night’s Sleep
If you or a loved one are having difficulty getting a full night of sleep, it may have something to do with your habits or environment. Try setting the stage for sleep with these tips: Keep to a schedule: Your brain’s “circadian clock” is what helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle, and it can easily be thrown off when you either … Read More
Sundown Syndrome: How to Cope
Sundown syndrome is a behavior common in people with Alzheimer’s disease. It describes the episodes of confusion, anxiety, agitation, or disorientation that often occur at dusk and into the evening hours. The episodes may last a few hours or throughout the night, which is very draining not only on the caregiver, but on the person with Alzheimer’s disease as well. … Read More
Sleep Because You Care
Numerous studies have demonstrated that the mental impairment of someone with extreme sleep deprivation is equal to the mental impairment of someone who is legally drunk. Without sleep, a person’s body doesn’t have a way to recharge and revitalize. Organs and systems are forced to work when they should be resting. This gives the body no time to heal itself … Read More
When You Can’t Just Sleep It Off: Recognizing Common Sleep Disorders
Sleep is an essential part of health, and lack of sleep can have dramatic effects on the mind and body. Lack of sleep can cause problems with concentration and memory, extreme fatigue, and other problems. Family caregivers may experience lack of sleep because the senior they are caring for is suffering from a sleep disorder. Understanding when to bring up … Read More
Want to be Alzheimer’s Free? A Healthy Heart May Help
Studies show that people with a higher HDL, or good cholesterol level, may be at a lower risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. While doctors don’t agree on just how much a healthy heart can protect against Alzheimer’s disease, most do believe there is a connection between the two. With a staggering one out of every five Americans reporting high bad … Read More
Warning for Women: Heart Attack Symptoms
While some heart attacks are sudden and intense, most of them start slowly with mild pain or discomfort, and there are some particular warning signs to watch out for such as discomfort in the chest or other areas of the upper body and shortness of breath. However, many people don’t know that there can be different signs of a heart … Read More
How Do Dietary Supplements Stack Up Against “Real” Food?
Undernutrition in the elderly is a serious issue, and drink supplements are often added to the diet to help seniors get the nutrients they need. But how do supplements stack up to real food, and how do the top supplements compare to one another? Compared to the option of low-fat yogurt and an orange, which has around 206 calories, 12 … Read More
Are Your Senior Family Members Getting Enough to Eat?
There are several common aspects of aging, such as chewing issues, digestive problems, loneliness, depression, and certain medications, that can cause seniors to decrease food intake, making it difficult for them to get the nutrition they need. Because family members can’t be there to monitor all meals and snacks, it’s often difficult to know if dietary needs are being met. … Read More
How Older Adults Can Get the Nutrients They Need
As adults age, calorie requirements change due to increased body fat, decreased muscle and lower activity levels. Because of this, meeting nutrient needs becomes more of a challenge for seniors. The key to this problem is to choose foods that are high in nutrients in relation to the calories they contain. The following are a few examples of foods that … Read More